Fansided

10 eventual free agents who could change the shape of the NBA

By Bryan Toporek

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 11
Next
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 03: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers stands on the court in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half at Staples Center on March 03, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 03: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers stands on the court in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half at Staples Center on March 03, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

3. LeBron James (2021 player option)

Any time LeBron James becomes a free agent, it’s a seismic, league-shifting event.

In 2010, James joined up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami and guided the Heat to four straight NBA Finals appearances and two rings. In 2014, he went back home to Cleveland, where he guided the Cavaliers to four straight NBA Finals appearances and their first-ever championship.

James’ maiden season with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018-19 got derailed by a groin injury he suffered on Christmas Day against the Golden State Warriors. But this year, he and Anthony Davis guided the Lakers to the best record in the Western Conference before the league went on hiatus in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In his age-35 season, James is averaging 25.7 points on 49.8 percent shooting, a league-high 10.6 assists and 7.9 rebounds in a career-low (!) 34.9 minutes per game. Giannis Antetokounmpo would be running away with his second straight MVP award if not for James, who is the first player in NBA history to average at least 25-7-7 beyond the age of 35.

Davis can — and likely will — become a free agent this offseason by declining his $28.75 million player option, but he’s a virtual lock to re-sign with the Lakers. Assuming he does, James should have no reason to leave in either 2021 (if he declines his $41.0 million player option for 2021-22) or 2022.

Although James will be closer to 40 than 30 whenever he next becomes a free agent, he proved this season that he’s still winning the battle against Father Time.

Home/NBA